sion to the VA's efforts to help those who have suffered a catastrophic injury return to a full life, or as close as they can come to it.

The program at Quantico has clearly shown the advantages of including volunteers, veterans organizations and sporting private organizations in the program, and is in step with the nation's tradition of volunteerism.

My friend Lieutenant Colonel Lew Deal, spoke earlier and in his volunteer capacity has been one of the prime leaders in setting up the program. Terry Labar, another former Marine who is an instructor at the FBI Academy and uses a wheelchair to get around, and Tim Stamps, head of the hunting and fishing section at Quantico, have been very generous with their time and effort in setting up the program.

In 1994, the program started with the building of wheelchair accessible stands and Paralyzed Veterans of America, they donated $500 worth of materials and then that was matched by Smitty's Hardware Store in Stafford County, who donated an equal amount of free lumber. That was the beginning for the program, and they have been added to and improved every year since.

The volunteers also act as hunting partners for the disabled, and it's really unique in that, as those of us who work full-time, sometimes our schedules change. In one instance, I wasn't able to know that I was going to be able to go hunting on a Saturday until Friday. Well, the nice part about the program, I could call up-and I did, I said, "Hey, Tim, I'd like to go hunting tomorrow. Is there any possibility." And he said, "I'll call you back in half an hour, I'll let you know." He called back in about 20 minutes and I was out hunting the next day. So it wasn't something where you had to it was flexible, sort of like curb cuts. It's nice when they are there, so you don't have to depend on someone to haul you up over the curb when you're getting in someplace.

The beauty of the program is I think it is a win-win situation. I think it fits with DOD's quality of life program. It demonstrates a real effort and a tangible benefit to those who are currently serving on active duty, because they see that the uniformed services really are taking care of their own.

That's the conclusion of my prepared testimony. I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can. [The prepared statement of Colonel Gerlach may be found at end of hearing.]

Mr. SAXTON. Thank you, Mr. Gerlach. That was well done. Mr. Thomas.

STATEMENT OF HARLEY THOMAS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, USMC, RETIRED

Mr. HARLEY THOMAS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On behalf of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, PVA, it's an honor to participate in today's hearing. PVA appreciates this opportunity to give our views on the Disabled Sportsmen's Act. Over 50 years ago, the original founders of Paralyzed Veterans came together in a united front to advocate participation in organized sports as an enhancement to rehabilitation.

Veterans suffering traumatic spinal cord injury began playing wheelchair basketball and discovered that they didn't have to be spectators, they could also participate, and in doing so, enhance the quality of their lives.

Today, some 51 years later, PVA continues to support and promote organized wheelchair sports for disabled veterans. Together with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the annual Veterans Wheelchair Games brings together over 500 participants in wheelchairs in organized competition. This is the largest organized wheelchair sporting event in the world.

Although the Veterans Wheelchair Games is a true success story, it only accommodates a small number of the over 78,000 disabled veterans suffering from traumatic spinal cord injury or dysfunction, and a mere fraction of the estimated 9 million veterans classified as disabled.

PVA launched the annual U.S. Open Bass Tournament for disabled anglers back in 1987. And in 1984, this event was expanded into the Bass Trail, which consists of five to six events annually. Each of these events, held at various locations around the country, draws between 70 to 75 disabled anglers.

In 1988, PVA launched a trap shoot for disabled individuals. This event has prospered over the years and this year was expanded to five different locations. The rules for disabled trap shooting are the same as for able-bodied individuals.

Outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities are extremely important to all veterans and all individuals with disabilities. In a 1996 survey that we conducted, we found that the No. 1 recreational activity for our members and all people with disabilities was fishing, closely followed by hunting and all other recreational activities.

Unfortunately, the numbers of accessible outdoor recreational facilities are extremely limited. Many local municipalities simply do not have the funds available to provide adequate outdoor recreational facilities.

The Marine base at Quantico, Virginia has taken steps to ensure accessibility to outdoor recreation facilities by disabled individuals. This program has been extremely successful, and as Col. Gerlach said, "I'm not much of a spectator sports fan, but I really love hunting and fishing. It's more fun doing than watching."

This program needs to be expanded nationwide to all military installations providing maximum availability of quality outdoor recreation facilities to disabled veterans, and to others with disabilities.

The enactment of H.R. 2760 can provide a solution to this problem. Most military bases have ongoing outdoor recreation facilities to include fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and many other desirable activities. The Department of Defense is already required to provide access for qualified individuals with disabilities in all of its programs by virtue of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. However, full implementation has been hampered by the lack of resources and the cutback in budgets. The ability to use volunteers and donations to make recreational areas accessible will greatly increase the implementation of these existing regulations.

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By making these facilities accessible to disabled veterans, military dependents and other persons with disabilities would have access to more than 30 million acres, much of which is prime hunting ground. Utilization of these facilities can enrich the quality of life for many disabled individuals.

Through the use of volunteers and donation of time and materials, costs associated with converting the existing outdoor activities to accommodate disabled individuals will be minimal. PVA has a staff of expert architects that are leaders in the field of disability and ADA standards. PVA would be happy to provide technical assistance to any military installation in providing accessible outdoor recreation facilities to the disabled community.

I would like to extend a special thank you to Congressman Duke Cunningham for his introduction of this vital piece of legislation and the positive impact it will have on the disabled community. And I'd also like to thank Senator Burns for his introduction of the like bill in the Senate.

Mr. Chairman, PVA urges passage of H.R. 2760. Thank you for holding this important hearing. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Harley Thomas may be found at end of hearing.]

Mr. SAXTON. Thank you very much. Very excellent testimony. As you have heard, we are again having a vote on the House floor, and I have about 5 minutes to get over to do the vote. Let me make an unusual suggestion. Obviously, I feel like it's necessary, inasmuch as I've been invited to a meeting with the Prime Minister, to be there at 11 o'clock.

Therefore, we can do one of two things. I can just go to make my vote and by the time I get back, it will be 11 o'clock. And so I will go on to the meeting, and would you rather we adjourn to a time certain in the next, say, 12 o'clock? Or would you just prefer to wait and I will get back as soon as I can?

Mr. KIRK THOMAS. Whatever you want to do is fine with me.

Mr. SAXTON. All right, we will adjourn pending my return and, as was just suggested by staff, there are other members who are busy off doing votes and other things who may be back before I am, and if so, they will take the chair and you can give your testimony in that way.

Thank you very much for understanding, and I apologize. [Recess.]

Mr. PETERSON. [presiding] We are prepared to reconvene the hearing. Our next witness will be Mr. Kirk Thomas, President, Wheelin' Sportsmen of America. Welcome.

STATEMENT OF KIRK THOMAS, PRESIDENT, WHEELIN'
SPORTSMEN OF AMERICA, INC.

Mr. KIRK THOMAS. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee for the privilege to testify before you today. I'd like to also thank Congressman Cunningham and Senator Burns for the leadership role they played.

It is an honor to represent myself, Wheelin' Sportsmen of America and all disabled individuals across America. Persons with disabilities are the largest minority group in our country. There are approximately 54 million people with disabilities in the United States, 9 million of which are veterans.

Outdoor activities are extremely important to people with disabilities. It provides a lot of things, good health, education, enjoyment, confidence, character, and goes a long way in building selfesteem, all of which add to the quality of life.

The goal of WSA is to provide opportunities for all people with disabilities so they can get out and enjoy outdoors. Our emphasis is on teamwork. We team disabled and nondisabled together to negate many barriers. This, of course, does a good job in promoting disability awareness.

We also team up with other organizations, groups, et cetera that are interested in our same goals. The reason for our explosive growth and success in such a short time has been because of teamwork.

We offer our partnership to this bill, H.R. 2760. H.R. 2760 can be a tremendous teamwork opportunity for everyone. I'd like for everyone to see that. We are dedicated to our goals and objectives. Myself and WSA are proud to step up as leaders in providing our expertise, leadership effort, promotional resources, and dedication in the success of H.R. 2760.

I believe H.R. 2760 could be the catalyst that is needed for millions of people to team up to provide outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. It is very important. We look forward to the opportunities, challenges and success ahead of us.

In closing, myself and WSA are interested in seeing the outdoors made accessible, more available. Teamwork and reality in working together can make the outdoors accomplishable.

Thank you very much, and if there are any questions, I will be glad to take them.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Kirk Thomas may be found at end of hearing.]

Mr. PETERSON. Thank you very much, Kirk. I really appreciate your willingness to come and share with us.

I will introduce our next speaker, Mr. Jack Fasciana, Handicapped Hunter of the Year, Safari Club International, and he's accompanied by his father, John, of Bedford Hills, New York.

He is a very young man who wrote his own testimony. Don't be nervous. We are just people like your dad. Mrs. Kelly was hoping to introduce you. She had to leave for a few minutes, and she is going to miss the opportunity. We apologize for her, but welcome and congratulate you on having the courage to do what you're doing. I know your dad is very proud of you, and we are, too. So please proceed.

STATEMENT OF JACK FASCIANA, SAFARI CLUB

INTERNATIONAL

Mr. FASCIANA. Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Committee. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to speak here today.

I am here to speak in support of H.R. 2760, the Disabled Sportsmen's Access Act. I am speaking to you from my perspective as a disable American sportsman who has been fortunate enough to enjoy adventures in our outdoors. My achievements have been recognized by Safari Club International and I was the first recipient of the Special Young Hunter Award last January.

My disability results from the fact that I have an extremely rare neuromuscular disorder called dystonia, which significantly limits my ability to walk and use my hands and arms.

Federal lands are part of America's heritage, and part of its living legacy to all its citizens, including disabled sportsmen. H.R. 2760 allows a partnership between the Department of Defense and the private sector so that they can join forces to make these lands accessible to people like me.

Safari Club International, which has been a leader in providing opportunities for disabled hunters, is an example of a private sector organization that will be an effective partner.

The United States leads the nations of the world in making all aspects of life accessible to its disabled citizens. The pilot program at Quantico Marine Corps Base demonstrates that this concept can work well.

I know I am disabled, and I know the consequences of my disability. The dedication of my family, especially the dedication and sacrifices of my dad, have given me the opportunity not only to enjoy the outdoors, but to demonstrate to myself and to my peers that my disability is only an obstacle to be overcome, not a barrier to participation.

The Disabled Sportsmen's Access Act will make it easier for many disabled Americans to overcome these obstacles and to expреrience the adventures that I have experienced.

I hope you will vote in favor of this legislation and I again offer to you my profound thanks for granting me the opportunity to address the Committee this morning. Thank you.

[The prepared statement of Jack Fasciana may be found at end of hearing.]

Mr. PETERSON. Thank you very much, Jack. At this time, I ask unanimous consent to be joined by Congresswoman Sue Kelly. So ordered. Mrs. Kelly, please proceed.

Mrs. KELLY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to address the Subcommittee this morning. I am happy to be here to express my support for an important piece of legislation introduced by my friend, Duke Cunningham, to increase outdoor recreation opportunities for the disabled at military installations.

I am also please to be here to listen to an impressive young man who happens to be a constituent of mine, Jack Fasciana, from Bedford Hills, New York. Outdoor sporting activities, such as hunting and fishing, are important to our society on a number of levels. They contribute billions of dollars to our economy every year and support millions of American jobs. I realize that this issue is not often thought of in economic terms, but when I hear the rhetoric from those who seek to restrict hunting and fishing opportunities, I have to remind them of the importance of these activities to New York's and the nation's economy.

Fishing alone supports nearly 18,000 jobs in New York State. These activities also support the environment. Excise taxes on outdoor equipment have pumped billions of dollars into wildlife restoration activities over the years.